Adult Book Discussion Group - February

The Book Discussion Group will be reading

The Lace Reader

by Brunonia Barry

for their next meeting on

Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 6:30-8:15 PM

Adult Book Discussion Group - January

The Book Discussion Group will be reading

The Road Home

by Rose Tremain

for their next meeting on

Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 6:30 - 8:15 PM

Adult Book Discussion Group - December Meeting

The Book Discussion Group will be reading

The Widow's War

by Sally Gunning

for their next meeting on

Thursday, December 10, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:15 PM

Job Vacancy: Auburn Public Library Director

The Auburn Public Library Board of Trustees is seeking candidates with a strong public service commitment to administer and manage the functions, activities and operations of the Auburn Public Library.  Interested candidates should send a resume, letter of interest and a statement of professional goals to:

Search Committee APLD

Auburn Public Library

369 Southbridge Street

Auburn, MA 01501

or

email to:  APLDmtoth@gmail.com

The Town of Auburn is an EEO employer.

Summary of the Position Description for the Auburn Public Library Director:  Qualifications

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT
A Master's Degree in Library Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association and MBLC certification required.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in a public library with at least four years of supervisory and managerial experience preferred; including

• Strategic planning, goal setting and evaluation
• Supervision of both professional and paraprofessional staff
• Budget preparation and presentation
• Meeting library's service goals in times of reduced funding
• Fund raising
• Public speaking at Town Meetings and before community groups
• Working with a Friends' group and other local groups
• Knowledge of laws affecting the library's operation
• Experience in more than one library preferred

TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE

Significant IT experience including

• Familiarity with the C/W MARS network; or experience with another automated library network in a full member library, i.e., circulation and catalog maintained by the network
• Troubleshooting computers
• Updating computer software and hardware
• Computer security
• Website creation and updating

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Experience with and responsibility for building systems including

• Preference for a candidate who has experienced a library construction project recently and knows about new building systems, especially "green" systems
• Troubleshooting equipment problems, i.e., alarms, plumbing, heating, etc.

Town of Auburn Position Description

Position Title:    LIBRARY DIRECTOR

Position Description:  Professional, technical, administrative and supervisory work in directing the programs and operations of the public library; all other related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:  Works under the administrative direction of the Board of Trustees.  Performs responsible duties requiring the exercise of considerable independent judgment in the planning, direction and control of the operations of the library.

Makes frequent contacts with other town departments, library consortia, community groups, and the general public.

Has access to all department-related confidential information such as personnel records.

Some physical effort required in performing duties under typical library conditions.

Errors in judgment could result in waste of public funds, misuse of personnel, damage to the library building, unsafe conditions in the library and lower levels of library service for the town.

Examples of work:  Prepares and recommends policy statements for the approval of the Board of Trustees.  Ensures that all policies approved by the Trustees are implemented.  Ensures that all policies, services and facilities further the library's mission and are in compliance with Federal, state and local laws and requirements for receiving Federal, state and local funding.

Secures funding needed to provide approved program of library services.

Delegates responsibilities and objectives to staff members; monitors progress versus objectives; provides guidance as necessary; plans and conducts staff meetings; coordinates activities and programs affecting the library; provides for public relations activities, personnel administration, financial management, etc., coordinating responsibilities with appropriate staff members; ensures that facilities are maintained in satisfactory operating condition.

Participates in various management and/or advisory committee meetings including:  Board of Trustees, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Department Heads and Town Meeting, Central Massachusetts Regional Library System and C/W MARS.

Establishes responsibilities and standards of performance for employees; maintains good employee relations; recruits, hires, promotes and terminates within established policy and collective bargaining requirements; participates in union contract negotiations; provides for staff training and development.

Develops key contacts within the community in order to foster good public relations for the library, to solicit funding as necessary and for other funding needs.

Keeps abreast of trends, significant advances in the library field through various professional organizations and associations, publications, seminars and other similar means.

Ensures that staff training is sufficient to operate the library's automated circulation and public access catalog system and the town's automated network.

Ensures that the library building and equipment are well maintained to facilitate providing library services and are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable statutes.

Ensures that the library grounds are well-maintained and free of hazards.

Performs other similar duties inherent to the responsibility of library director.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:  A Master's Degree in Library Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association and MBLC certification required.

Seven years progressively responsible professional experience in a public library with at least four years of supervisory and managerial experience preferred; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Ability, Skill:  Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of professional library work and of the organization and management of library operations, including administration, personnel and finance are required.  Extensive knowledge of current computer hardware and software for library functions and for management is required.  Knowledge of library automation systems.

Knowledge of laws applicable to library operations.

Ability to direct the work of professional and non-professional staff.  Ability to meet and deal with people effectively and appropriately.  Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.  Excellent planning and organizational skills.

Beginning Genealogy Program Cancelled

Due to low registration the Beginning Genealogy Program scheduled at the Auburn Public Library on October 17 has been cancelled.  Another Beginning Genealogy Program has been scheduled at the Southboro Public Library on November 14 from 10AM until 3PM.  If anyone is interested in attending this program, please call the Southboro Public Library at 508-485-5031 to register.

Adult Book Discussion Group

The Book Discussion Group will be reading

"Testimony: a Novel"

by Anita Shreve

for their next meeting on

Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:15 PM

Beginning Genealogy Program

October 17, 2009  10 A.M. to 3 P.M.
The Worcester Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, in conjunction with the Auburn Public Library, will be presenting a FREE Beginning Genealogy Program.  An informal "question/answer" session will be held during the 'bring your own' brown bag lunch.

This course will show students how to begin researching their family tree and filling in the branches.  It will  include gathering, organizing, recording and documenting data.  Students will learn to conduct oral interviews; search through primary and secondary sources, such as vital, census, land, probate, military and immigration records, as well as compiled genealogies; use the computer and the Internet to find and record family information; and analyze the accumulated data.

Seating is limited.  Register by calling the Library at 508-832-7790.